Am I who I really thought I was? How do I continue ‘being’ in this new world order where everyone has been forced to approach living from a different perspective?” Toshanisha – The New Normals follows seven Kenyans in various regions, one Congolese in a refugee camp and one Brazilian in Sao Paulo as they struggle to adjust their lives during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Bold Theatre Kenya teams up with Os Satyros (Brazil) to re-create, The New Normals, a successful digital theatre play that was partly devised by Os Satyros cast and created by Ivam Cabral and Rodolfo García Vázquez and directed by Vázquez, the founders of Os Satyros, a leading theatre company in Brazil.
Bold Theatre Kenya was founded by Aroji Otieno in response to the Covid lockdowns that had threatened the existence of theatre activities in Kenya. The organization facilitated online activities which included variety shows, workshops, and performances that promoted intercultural collaboration. The exemplary performance of the cast of TOSHANISHA-New Normals reports the success of one year of resilient re-discovery.
Produced by Bold Theatre KE in collaboration with Os Saryros.
TOSHANISHA – The New Normals
Reviews
Founded by Aroji Otieno at the onset of the Covid crisis, Bold Theatre Kenya undertook to maintain a creative connection to their community through workshops and performances.
The style of this live performance from Kenya, half a world away and the largest economy in East Africa prior to the pandemic, reminded me of "The Art of Facing Fear" in that listening to the actors talk about how their lives have changed during the pandemic, especially how it closed down theatre, which certainly made me feel at one with with them. I too have experienced longing to be with my friends, having fun, being able to get together without wearing masks, and not worrying that no matter how safe I am trying to be that fear will keep me isolated from in person human interaction. This show definitely promotes the premise that "we are the world" and "we are all one."
I especially enjoyed the scene in which each actor showed a photo from what their social life was like before having to stay away from their friends and family, which is probably the most difficult part of having to life isolated from the company of others. And the scene addressing sexual assault on teenage girls, complete with emotional reactions written across the actresses' bodies, was another way this play united me with them in their life experiences.
It's difficult to talk fairly about technical improvements, especially since streaming live from half way around the world was an amazing feat in itself!
Founded by Aroji Otieno at the onset of the Covid crisis, Bold Theatre Kenya undertook to maintain a creative connection to their community through workshops and performances.
The style of this live performance from Kenya, half a world away and the largest economy in East Africa prior to the pandemic, reminded me of "The Art of Facing Fear" in that listening to the actors talk about how their lives have changed during the pandemic, especially how it closed down theatre, which certainly made me feel at one with with them. I too have experienced longing to be with my friends, having fun, being able to get together without wearing masks, and not worrying that no matter how safe I am trying to be that fear will keep me isolated from in person human interaction. This show definitely promotes the premise that "we are the world" and "we are all one."
I especially enjoyed the scene in which each actor showed a photo from what their social life was like before having to stay away from their friends and family, which is probably the most difficult part of having to life isolated from the company of others. And the scene addressing sexual assault on teenage girls, complete with emotional reactions written across the actresses' bodies, was another way this play united me with them in their life experiences.
It's difficult to talk fairly about technical improvements, especially since streaming live from half way around the world was an amazing feat in itself!